Videotron satisfied with its 2008 performance

MONTREAL — Vidéotron announced today that 2008 was highlighted by significant growth for all products, and that, for a 14th consecutive quarter. 2008 was also significant in terms of milestones for Videotron with the installation of its millionth illico Digital TV set-top box, the addition of the millionth client to the Internet access service, and the introduction of the Ultimate Speed Internet 30 (30 Mbps) and Ultimate Speed Internet 50 (50 Mbps) services.

Strong consumer acceptance of illico Digital TV

Videotron posted record growth for its cable television service during the year ended December 31, 2008, with an increase of 77,500 subscribers, bringing the total to 1,715,620, compared with an increase of 65,700 subscribers during 2007. Digital television service also registered record growth in 2008 with an increase of 159,100 customers during the year, compared with an increase of 144,600 subscribers during 2007, bringing the total to 927,320 for 2008. As of December 31, 2008, 54% of Videotron’s cable television clients subscribed to its digital television service.

The freedom and choice afforded by the illico on Demand service continued to prove popular with Quebecers: in 2008, Videotron customers ordered close to 45 million titles, a four-fold increase since 2005, when 10 million orders were placed. The growth has accelerated year after year, as the variety of free and paid titles available on illico on Demand has expanded. There were 20 million orders in 2006 and 24 million in 2007.

In 2008, Videotron introduced the illico Call Display service, which lets customers who subscribe to both Videotron cable telephone service and illico Digital TV see the caller’s name and number on their television screen.

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